Greece plans Mediterranean navy exercises; Turkey objects

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece says its navy and air force will conduct exercises in the eastern Mediterranean near a contested area where Turkey is prospecting for oil and gas. That announcement Monday has drawn an angry response from Turkey. The three-day, live-fire exercises will start Tuesday southeast of the Greek island of Crete. Germany, meanwhile, is stepping up diplomatic efforts to try to prevent the regional tensions from escalating further. Turkey has a research ship escorted by warships that is surveying for oil and gas exploration in the area. It disputes Greece’s claim to exclusive economic rights there.